The National Kitchen & Bath Association released findings from its 2012 NKBA Design Trends Survey, which found new trends in cabinetry wood types and finishes, and a growing popularity in LED lighting use.
Cherry wood, which has consistently been the first or second most popular wood type for kitchen cabinetry, was specified by 69 percent of designers in 2012, down from 72 percent in 2011 and 80 percent in 2010. Maple also fell, specified by 70 percent of designers in 2012 compared to 77 percent in 2011. The survey found that instead of one or two woods capturing the majority of market share, lesser-used woods are being specified more often, including oak (22 percent), walnut (13 percent), birch (15 percent) and bamboo (10 percent).
According to NKBA, natural kitchen cabinetry is trending toward darker finishes, which were specified by 58 percent of kitchen designers. Light natural finishes were recently specified by 30 percent of kitchen designers, while medium natural finishes were specified by 55 percent.
For the first time since NKBA began its design trends survey, traditional was not the most popular design style in kitchens and bathrooms, replaced by transitional style in 2012. Traditional style was specified in 58 percent of kitchens and 59 percent of baths, down from nearly 75 percent in both rooms previously. Contemporary was next, specified in 52 percent of kitchens and 53 percent of bathrooms.
Another trend identified in the survey is the returning popularity of medicine cabinets, which were specified by 43 percent of designers in 2010 and 36 percent in 2011, but were requested by 66 percent of designers in 2012. LED lighting is also becoming popular in homes, according to the survey, as it was specified by 70 percent of NKBA kitchen designers in 2012, up from 54 percent in 2011.
For more findings of the 2012 NKBA Design Trends Survey, please visit http://www.nkba.org/press/releases/pressreleases2012/12-02-16/NKBA_Reveals_Top_Kitchen_Bath_Trends_for_2012.aspx.